Autism Fundraising Effort Uses Silicone Wristbands

By Laura Pace, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
When Cindy Waeltermann got the diagnosis for her son, who was almost 3, “All I heard was ‘autism,’ and I think my ears started ringing. I heard nothing after that.”

Her younger son later received the diagnosis as well.

“That truck didn’t kill me when it ran over me, so it backed up to make sure I was completely dead,” she said.

Such reactions are common among parents in her position; that’s part of the reason for the group she directs, the Autism Center of Pittsburgh/AutismLink.

The centers, located in McCandless and Robinson, help connect parents with each other and with therapists who can help their children with speech, movement and other therapies. The group is proud that it has no waiting list for diagnosis or treatment. Compounding the problem is the huge rise in autism diagnosis; one in 150 children is diagnosed with the disorder, which has symptoms ranging from mild problems with social skills to complete withdrawal.

The center now needs a South Hills location, which could cost $15,000. That’s where ULTRAparty comes in.

ULTRAparty, Mt. Lebanon’s first street jam on Washington Road, will be Aug. 3, with music, food and drinks; proceeds will benefit the Autism Center of Pittsburgh/AutismLink.

First off will be Mt. Lebanon’s First Friday, the monthly concerts and street festivals on the main drag, at 6. The evening gears up with ULTRAparty from 8 p.m. to midnight.

ULTRAparty is the baby of LEBO, which stands for Lifestyles Enriched by Opportunity. The group, which focuses on young leaders and has an online community of about 500 people, helps to spotlight social and business opportunities in Mt. Lebanon for people ages 21 to 35.

Washington Road will be closed from Castle Shannon Boulevard near the library to Cedar Boulevard. Parking will not be available on Washington Road after 6 p.m. However the North Parking Garage will be open. People who park in the South garage prior to 8 p.m. can exit, as the garage exits in the rear of the building.

Alfred Street also will be closed.

Title sponsors, Miller Lite and Heineken, are providing the beer.

Admission will be a $5 donation to the Autism Center, and party-goers will get a blue rubber wristband to promote autism awareness.

The headlining act will be ’80s cover band, Velveeta, which will perform at 8:30 p.m. The opening act is Maddie Georgi, who wrote a song about her brother, who has autism.

Original article and more information here.